Caring for your tattoo

Aftercare

DO'S

Leave the cling film on for 1-2 hours, or until you get to a clean environment in which to wash your new tattoo.

Take the cling film off, and have a hot bath to thouroughly soak & wash your tattoo.

Pat dry with clean tissue or kitchen roll. Don't use a towel.

DO NOT RE-COVER YOUR TATTOO. The cling film is there to protect it from the elements on the way back from the tattoo studio. After you have washed it, you need to let the tattoo 'breathe' and form it's own natural barrier.

Put on clean clothing and ensure your bedsheets are clean when you sleep.

Should your skin become overly dry or itchy, use a SMALL amount of Palmers Cocoa Butter and rub into the skin well - do not leave a 'cover' of cream on your new tattoo.

DONT'S

DO NOT pick or scratch your tattoo while it's healing. Scabbing is a normal part of the healing process but picking scabs off prematurely will result in ink being pulled out.

DO NOT use any product other than the ones we recommend.

DO NOT share after-care products with anyone else.

DO NOT submerge your tattoo in water (bath, sauna, swimming pool etc) until the tattoo is fully healed.

DO NOT use bubble bath, shower gel or attempt to cleanse or tone your new tattoo until fully healed.

DO NOT wax your tattoo area until fully healed.

DO NOT sunbathe, use a tanning bed or otherwise expose your tattoo to sunlight while your tattoo is healing. When the tattoo IS fully healed, always use factor 50+ on the tattoo to stop it fading.

DO NOT let any household pets attempt to lick the tattoo. If your pets sleep in your bed with you, please wash your bedsheets and refrain from letting them sleep in your bed until fully healed.

DO NOT wear clothing/jewellery that will excessively rub on the tattooed area.

DO NOT TAKE YOUR FRIENDS' ADVICE!!!! If you are worried about how your tattoo is healing, please call us or come in to the studio. No question is stupid and we will always take the time to talk to you, put your mind at rest and give you the best professional advice available. We are professionals, we have been doing this all day every day for an extremely long time, your friends have not!

GENERAL ADVICE

A little bit of bleeding, weeping, swelling, and bruising is normal within the first 48 hours of getting tattooed. If the swelling bothers you, try to keep the area raised when possible. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory as well as a pain killer that will help. Please only take this if you do not have an allergy!!

The tattoo will scab, look shiny and patchy while your tattoo heals. It goes through several stages of healing which can look quite worrying, especially if you've never been tattooed before. Try not to worry, 99% of the time the tattoo heals fine, If it doesn't, we offer a free touch-up service provided our after-care instructions have been followed exactly.

Black and grey tattoos will look quite dark and have a brown tint to them to begin with. This is just where your skin is sore underneath. When healed, the tattoo will lighten up and gain a more silver tone to it.

During the first few nights after getting tattooed, we recommend you sleep in an old, clean item of clothing. When the tattoo is healing there is a risk of getting 'stuck' to any surrounding material. If you wake up stuck to an item of clothing, get in a shower with the clothing still on and the water will help separate it from the skin.

We recommend staying away from dirty/dusty environments while your tattoo is healing. If this is not a possibility (for work etc), we recommend keeping it covered with loose clothing, and getting a thin pair of tights, cutting them either end at a size that will cover your tattoo, and wearing that while you are in the environment. Wear it ONLY while you are working, and immediately when your finish, take them off and clean your tattoo. DO NOT use the same section of tights twice- if you need to do it again use a clean piece.

Any tattoo below the knee has a tendency to take a little longer to heal than tattoos anywhere else on the body.

TOUCH UPS- On the rare occasions in which a touch up is necessary, we offer a free touch-up session providing you have looked after the tattoo according to our exact instructions, and you come to see us within 3 months of being tattooed.

What people say about The Picture House Tattoo studio...

Be warned!!! The rest of the tattoo shops here in Chippenham, perhaps North Wiltshire! This place is amazing!!! Fresh, Friendly And No Ego artists are in town!!Pocholo Cordovez

Such a good time spending a few hours getting to know the Picture House Tattoo Studio crew tonight! All of them beautiful specimens of people, I look forward to my first ink from them!Bambi 'Shánai-nai' Violet

Absolutely LOVING The Picture House Tattoo Studio! Insane talent, amazingly stylish studio and a truly awesome atmosphere... And thank you Chantale for another amazing tattoo!Tonya Lawrence

1st session done today! By the amazing very talented Chantale Coady. Very pleased with the tatt so far looking forward to the next sessionSimon Sleeman

Great experience! My tattoo's are way better than I imagined and it was nice to have a laugh while they were being done. Lush studio, lush artists, great experience! Thank you sooo much :)Katie Harris

Had an absolutely amazing time with the girls here. The atmosphere is really good. Everyone is really friendly and I have one awesome pet unicorn on my thigh! Thanks xSimone Barbara Breen-Harris